Best French Bread in Town

08/22/2026

Hi Friends - I hope you all know that I retired in June. The local monthly magazine, The Ann Arbor Observer, ran a nice article this month.

Jeff Renner retires after forty-six years of baking award-winning bread.

06/22/2026

Hi Friends - The Ann Arbor News did a nice story on my retirement. It was a party! There are embedded links to previous stories as well. Thanks for all your loyalty over the years. I hope I adequately thanked the woman for the beautiful bouquet of peonies and bell flowers. It was all so overwhelming! They lasted forever! I will post a basic recipe for my bread soon.

Jeff Renner never expected to turn his bread-making passion into a full-fledged business. After decades of working from his commercial kitchen space at home, he is ready for the next chapter of his life.

05/27/2026

The response to my post last week that I am retiring has been overwhelming and heartwarming. 😍

For these last two delivery days, May 29 and June 5, Arbor Farms will not be taking reservations for loaves and will limit sales to one country loaf and three baguettes per person.

My last deliveries after 46-1/2 years will be at around 2pm and 4pm, June 5!

05/21/2026

Friends - the rumors are true. After 46-1/2 years of baking, I am going to retire in three weeks. It’s been a good run but I find that this old man (80 in September) doesn’t have the stamina required for baking a full day, especially as hot weather approaches. I’ll miss it, but most of all I will miss all of you! I love visiting with you when I make my deliveries. You all tell me how much you like my bread. Bringing pleasure to so many people is a real privilege and joy. At this point I think that my last day will be Friday, June 5, with my 4-ish delivery to Arbor Farms.

05/11/2026

An exterior fire above the entrance to Arbor Farms, but I doubt that it will affect the deli or my deliveries on Friday. May have to use the east entrance, though. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1277508117895379&id=100069086084749

02/26/2026

My well pump failed just as I was starting to make dough this evening, so I am not able to make bread for Friday, February 27. 😢 If it were like this well, I could just crank!

[Edit Friday - Cribley Well Drilling came at 9:15 this morning and replaced the 38 year old (original) pump and we’re back in business, so to speak. Still no bread today, of course, but I’m grateful for this quick response from an old, locally owned business!]

02/12/2026

Hi Friends - I’m back from seven weeks in the warm south and will resume baking tomorrow, Friday, February 13, with afternoon deliveries to the deli at Arbor Farms.